UPDATE: Beaumont City Council members approved an ordinance today that restricts noise levels coming from businesses near residential areas.

The issue came to the council's attention after residents near Starvin' Marvin's Bar and Grill on 11th Street complained about the noise from the restaurant.

Cade Bernsen, attorney for Marvin Atwood who owns the restaurant, said they are considering options - including a petition effort or legal recourse - to fight the ordinance approval.

Read more in Wednesday's edition of The Enterprise.

PREVIOUS REPORTING:

Neighbors pressing for city help to mute what they say are noisy nights next to Starvin Marvin's Bar and Grill could get help from an unlikely source: Street preachers.

Beaumont City Council today will discuss and possibly vote on changes to the city's noise ordinance.

The proposed changes result from settling a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by a group of street preachers who were arrested during a November 2005 demonstration and brought before municipal court on noise nuisance laws.

The lawsuit caused the city to "back off enforcement" of noise ordinances while, Beaumont City Attorney Tyrone Cooper said.

If council approves recommended changes, noise level restrictions could become much tighter for businesses next to residential areas.